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Why must we connect with our emotions about the climate crisis instead of suppressing them?
- Supressing feelings might be a factor in getting burnt out Caroline Hickman writning for Gen Dread
- Emotions can provide motivation to act Trang Đặng writing for the Climate Psychology Alliance Digest
- Panu Pihkala in conversation with Anya Kamenetz at the Climate Mental Health Network
- Emotions tell us something important is happening.
- Emotions are connected to our motivation and values. Our emotions can lead to positive outcomes, for example climate action. But strong emotions can also be difficult. For example, feeling of guilt might lead to denial to avoid the unpleasant feeling.
“when we close off emotionally we feel less alive, our energy sagging and our sensitivity dulled”
Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone Active Hope p. 66
Practices and exercises for learning to connect with or express our emotions
Books
- Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone.
- Name your concerns p. 17.
- ‘Honouring our pain for the world’ Chapter 2.
- “simply ask yourself how you feel” p. 73.
- Meditation.
- Creative expression.
- Creating a ceremony.
- Conversation.
- Joining (or creating) a group or workshop.
- Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith
- Develop coping strategies p. 105.
- Mindfulness p. 109.
- Acceptance p. 103.
- Name your feelings p. 110.
- Self-soothing p. 111.
Online courses
- Active Hope Training. Free.
- Self-Compassion workbooks and information sheets from Centre for Clinical Interventions. Free.
- Resilience+ Deep Dive: Building Emotional Resilience The Post Carbon Institute. Discounts available.
Groups
Therapeutic Support
- Therapeutic support from the Climate Psychology Alliance